Internal-combustion engine



- F. D. CHOWDER IN ERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed 25. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 //v l/ENTOR I. D Crow dew;

A TTOHNE Y8 F. D. CROWDER INTERNAL COMBUST ION ENGI NE Filed Nov. 23.1920 e Sheets-Sheet 3 WITNESSES F. D. CROWDER INTERNAL COMBUSTI ONENGINE Filed Nov. 25 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESSES //VVE/VTOI? ATTORNEYS W 18,1924. 11,515,933 1 F. D. CROWDER INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINE Filed 23. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 fi s. 12.

16 161 WITNESSES l/VVE/VTOR 152 FD. Crow (Z02 1 A TTOR/VE Y 8 New. 181924.

F. D. CROWDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGIN Filed 23.. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 6m/ VE/VTOR ED. Cmwde W/ T/VE SSE 8 ATTORNEYS ing a circulating fluidserving I vide a hydro-gas engine having exhaust n. min, or

application filed November To all whom it may concem: r Be it known thatI, FRANK D. Cnowomz, a citizen of the United States, and a res dent ofSan Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California;have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Internal-CombustionEngines, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates toimprovements in internal combustion engines of thefluid pis ton type and it consists inlthe construction, combinations andmode of operation herein described and claimed.

One of the foremost objects of the invention is to provide. a hydro-gasor internal combustion en'gine which generates power directly'in anassociated turbine, the turbine in turn driving an electric generator orother desired mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an internal combustionee embodyto triple urpose of acting as the fluid piston, coo g agent forthe cylinders, and medium for directly driving a turbine. A furtherobject of the invention is to proandintake valves with electricalmechanism so associated with the latter that the exhaust valve of eachcylinder controls its own intake valve, and the intake valve of eachcylinder holds the exhaust valve of another cylinder in a predeterminedposition.

A further objectmf the invention is to provide a hydro-gas enginecomprising a plurality of cylinders, each with an exhaust and an intakevalve, the intake valve of one cylinder controlling electrical mechanismfor holding the exhaust valve of another cylinder closed, but when saidintake valve opens, the corresponding exhaust valve'also opens to belater closed by instrumentalities set in operation through the risingfluid piston admitted by itself. V v

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved electricswitch by means of which the functions of various important parts of theengine are initiated.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the followmg specification,reference being DISTRICT OF COL ll am; ONE-FOURTH HOUSTON, T L I.

hi z, USTION iDTHQ It, 1:;

l 1920. Serial No.

I ONE-FOURTH TO B. H. EN, 0]?

IN: I. 7

had. to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved enlg me, viewed from theintake side,

lgure 2 is a plan view, with the cover removed, v Figure 3 is a sideelevation viewed from the exhaust side,

Figure 4 is a section, illustrating the association of the electricswitch with the main valve, and showing the controllin means mounted onthe instrument board 0 the automobile,

Figure 5 is a front elevation of one of theexhaust valve cylindersshowing its contact Figure 6 is a side elevation. of the same cylinder,again showing the contact,

Figure? is a detail" view showing the float-actuated contact whichcontrols the working solenoid of the same cylinder,

igure 8 a longitudinal section of the combined spark and retaining tactsof one of the inlet valves,

Figure 10 is a vertical cross one of the engine cylinders, a

Figure 11 .is a detail sectional view ofthe solenoid con- .control andshifting valves in Figure. 1,

- igure 9 is a detail view illustrating the" section of t1on and mode ofoperation of the engine,

the details of each being described under appropriate headings below.There are four engine cylinders; 1, 2, 3 and 4. They have no pistons. ascommonly known, connecting rods, guides, etc., neither is there a crankshaft or. cam shafts for the exhaust and in take valves of therespective engine cylinders;5,6;'7,8;9, 10;11, 12.

The fluid W, which ordinarily will be water butmay be oil, or in fact,any other kind of fluid, serves three important purposes; while in theengine cylinders it is the .fluid piston against which the force of agas explosion is expended, it carries away the heat of the explosionthus keeping the cylinders cool, and it is usuable to drive an engine,such for example, as the turbine 15 be v fore it returns to the inlet 16from the radicompression may enter through the intake port 20.

This valve closes almost the instant it is opened and as it passes downon the closing movement, it creates a spark at the plug 21 to ignite thecompressed charge of gas. The fluid piston W is forced down, past thelarge bottom valve 22, with which the other cylinders are similarlyequipped at 23, 24 and 25, against the compressor piston 26, with whichthe other cylinders are likewise equipped at 27, 28 and 29, then intothe reservoir 30 from which the water, now under pressure, flows intothe turbine 15.

The engine details may now follow the above survey, the description ofcylinder 1 suflicin for the rest, for they are all alike. The cy 'nderis of a substantially straight cylindrical shape, provided at the topwith a, cover 31 which is also common to all cylinders. This coverincludes the water manifold 32, into which the hot water from the jacket33 flows by means of openings 34, (Fig. 8) being conducted by themanifold to the top of the radiator 17 as plainly shown in Figure 1. Aflange 35 supports the water reservoir 30 through securing bolts, theextension 36 of the cylinder also being pro-v vided with a flange 37which is secured to the bottom of the reservoir.

There is preferably no connection between the cylinder 1 anditsextension 36, so that ,1

the open space 38 is left unobstructed for the passage of the water intothe reservoir after strikin the compressor piston 26. The

seat 39 of t e large bottom valve 22 is of double conical shape at 40,41.

Upon an explosion, the force is centered on t e valve 22 by the firstcone 40, whereupon the valve spring 42 yields to let the bottom valve 22open so that the ejected water may enter the wide vertical grooves 43,into which it is directed by the other cone 41. The water being underconsiderable pressure will naturally pass down the grooves 43 andadjacent parts, very swiftly, striking the compressor piston 26 withequal force and piston 26 inwardly. It

causing the compression of air beneath that piston.

Air for compression is admitted by the valve 44, and the compressed airis let out into the compressed air reservoir 45 by the valve 46. Thecompressed air is used solely for the furnishing of a charge underpressure, to that end the air passing up through pipe-47 into thecarbureter 48 where it is carburetted and stands in readiness to enterthe working chamber when the intake valve 6 is opened.

Returning to the bottom valve 22; the spring 42 is supported on a ring49 which is screwed or otherwise fixed in place at 50 into the bottom ofthe cylinder 1. A spring 51 holds the compressor iston normally up. Thisis a strong spring at exerts an upward force lesser than that producedby an explosion on the fluid piston.

Acknowledging the fact that water may be put under pressure and cannotbe compressed unless the pressure is tremendously high, the provision ofthe spring 51 beneath the compressor piston 26 is made. Successiveexplosions atthe top of the cylinder 1 will force added quantities ofwater into the reservoir 30. At each impulse the compressor piston 26will sink lower and lower in its extension 36, com ressing the spring 51more and more but incidentally making room for said added uantity ofwater.

ere are now two factors which put the water under considerable andsuflicient pressure so that it may be used as a power fluid for drivingthe turbine 15 for instance; first, the force of the explosions behindthe water, second, the force of the s ring 51 moving the ould beunderstood that this is not an inherently high speed engine, but the twopower factors named do 0 erate to drive the turbine at a sufiicientlyhigh speed to in turn drive an electric gen- 3 erator.

A baflie 52, formed either integrally with or separately from thecylinder 1, prevents the excessive splashing of water into thecpmbustion chamber.. The battle is near the top of the cylinder, and thefluid piston rises close to the bottom of the baflle. The baflle is ofopen construction as shown, so that the force of the explosion above maybe exerted on the fluid piston beneath.

A governor 53, (Figs. 1 and 8) relieves excessive water pressure in thereservoir 30 under the circumstance that" the turbine is unable to'takecare of it or would be dam: aged were such excessive pressure tocontinue. It consists simply of a pipe connecthe reservoir, the spring55 yields to let the valve 54 open so that the fluid ma enter the waterjacket and thus be shunte from the turrblilne. I i th e contro o e 'neis accomplished by the b b i itrol valvb 'f in the vfive casing 59 atthe side of the engine in 'gure 1. This valve controls the fluid flowfrom the reservoir into the pipe 60 leading into the turbine casing 15.This valve has handle and rod connections 61, 82 through which it isactuated by the operator. The valve mechanism is described in partunder, the brief survey at the be ng, but the details of constructionare brought out here. First, take the exhaust valve 5.

It reciprocates infthe. cylinder 7 4; it is pressed upwardly by thespring to place its gas exhaust and water inlet ports 18 and 19 incommunication with corresponding ports 7 6 of the exhaust manifold 77,and 78 of the inlet conduit 16, and moved downwardly through theattraction of its stem 79 by the working solenoid 80.

The fixed core 81 partly occupies the working solenoid and completelyoccupies the retaining m controls the energization of its own workinsolenoid through its float contact 83, and that is so of the rest of thecylinders.

Assume the working solenoid 80 to be de energized; the spring 75 pressesthe exhaust valve 5 up, openlng the gas exhaust and water inlet ports.When the fluid pisto n reaches the float 84, the latter'rises on itsguide 85 striking the arm of the contact crank 86 and moving the pointsof the float contact 83 into engagement. The working solenoid is thenenergized by a circuit completed as follows: current from the positivepole of battery B over the main positive wire 87, branch 88, through theworking solenoid 80, common negative wire 89, contact 83 to ground atthe engine and so back to the negative pole of the battery. Theenergization of working solenoid 80 attracts the stem 7 9, closing thevalve 5 against the tension of spring 75 and shutting ofl both ports 18and 19.

The closing movement of exhaust valve 5 opens the gas intake valve 6through the energization of the intake solenoid 90 in this manner:Current flows from the positive of the battery B over wire 87 to the wining of the intake solenoid, over negative wire 91 through the intakecontact 92 to ground at the engine and so back to the negative pole ofthe battery. The energization of the intake solenoid 90 is but momentarybecause the intake contact 92 remains complete only for a very shorttime.

It consists of a roller 93 (see Figures 5 and 6) on an arm 94 carried bythe exhaust valve 5 and working in aslot 95 in the cylet 82. Thecylinder 1 inder 74. The pivotally mounted insulating base 96 of thecompanion contact pointis so constructed that the roller will not engagethe contact point on an upward movement.

When the roller 93 strikes the upper shoulder 97 the insulating base 96is rocked to the left on its pivot and placing the free contact pointdirectly into the path of the roller 93 to be engaged thereby on thedownward movement. The circuit through the intake solenoid 90 remainsonly as long as the roller 93 and its contact remain in engagement andwhen the lowermost position of the valve 5' is reached, this circuit has4 been broken whereupon the spring 98 presses the intake valve to itsnormally closed position.

The movable core 99 of the intake solenoid 90, has a reduced stem 100which operates in the fixed core 101 and connects the movable core withthe stem 102 of the intake valve. The energization ofithe intakesolenoid 90 attracts the movable core upwardly to open the intake valveas distinguished from the closing of the exhaust valve 5 by theattraction of its core 79. 4

A casing 103 houses the intake valve 6 and its closing spring 98. Theattraction of the core 99 by the closure of the circuit of the intakesolenoid by the engagement of the contact 92 and the consequent openingof the intake valve 6, enables the introduction of a combustible chargeunder pressure into the explosion chamber above the fluid piston now atthe limit of its inward movement.

The closing intake valve produces its own spark at the plug 21 and atthe same time energizes the retaining magnet 104 of cylinder 4. s

The spark and retaining contact 111 by which the foregoing functions areperformed. comprises a roller 105 on the arm 106 which is carried by theintake valve 6 and works in the slot 107 in the side of the casing 103.There is a pivoted insulating base 108 which carries the ,terminal 109at which the high tension spark circuit is com-.

plated on the downward movement of the roller 105. This insulating baseand terminal operates in the same manner as does the base 96 in Figure6; a contact is made only on the down stroke.

After the roller 105 reaches the normal position, it engages theterminal 110 and remains there with some degree of permanency energizingthe retaining magnet 104 in this manner: Current flows from the positivepole of battery B over the common positive wire 87 to the retainingmagnet 104, over negative return wire- 112 to the spark andretaininggcontact 111 to ground at the engine and so battery.

Current for the production of the spark is ack to the negative pole ofthe furnished the coil, generally indicated C, by the main positive wire87 and when the low tension circuit is completed at the terminal 110,current is made to flow in the high tension circuit 113 and thus a sparkis produced at the plug 21. This circuit is grounded at the plug as iscustomary in practice- For the purposes of the description of theelectrical system, the various solenoids, magnets and wires of the threeremaining engine li nders must be specifically described, alt ough theoperation of each is precisely like that of cylinder 1. Cylinders 2, 3and 4 have working solenoids 114, 115 and 116, the first two includingretaining magnets 117 and 118. The retaining magnets 82 and 104 ofcylinders 1 and 4, have already been mentioned.

The float contacts 83 require no separate designation. They control thepassage of current from the main positive wire 87v through the variousworking solenoids to the negative wires;119, 120 and 121 in therespective instances. Similarly, the intake contacts 92, which requireno separate designation, control the passage of current from the mainpositive wire 87 through the intake solenoids 122, 123 and 124 to thenegative return wires 125, 126 and 127.

The retaining contacts 111 of the intake valves 6, 8, 1O and'12 controlthe passage of current from the main positive wire 87 through theretaining magnets 104, 118, 82 and 117 to return wires 112, 128, 129 and130. Considering these wires in the order that they emanate from theretaining mag nets 82, 117, 118 and 104,129 branches ofi the main wire.

at 129, 130 at 130, 128 at 128 and 112 at 112?, these branches extendingto the main electric switch Sw, which has 0 posing sets of contacts 131,132, 133 an 134 to receive them. These contacts are bridged by rings135, 136, 137 and-138 to complete the current paths. In tracing thecircuit of the retainin magnets 82, etc., the reader may ignore theranches 129 etc., which run to the main switch, and follow the mainwires 129, etc. to their destination. This will simplify matterssomewhat because it is readily seen that the branches 129, etc. only runto the switch then back again to Considering the construction of theswitch Sw; it comprises an insulating cylinder 139 in which the contacts131, etc., are fixed. It has main contacts 140 at which separated endsof the main positive wire 87 terminate. There are .working solenoidcontacts 141, one of which is connected to the common negative returnwire 89, the other being grounded. I

. Inside of the contact cylinder 139 are movable insulating plugs 142and 143, each separate from the other, and the former carrying thebridge rings 135 etc. These rings are normally out of engagement withthe contacts 131, etc. that is to say, when the engine is at rest, butare permanently in enga ement when the engine is in operation. The attercarries rings 144 and 145, respectively to bridge the contacts 140 and141.

Mounted on the instrument board 146, or at any other convenient place,is the lever 147 by means of which the contact plugs are shifted. Thelever has a pin 148 working in the groove of a collar 149 on theflexible shaft 150 which extends to the non-circular shaft 151. At firstthis shaft slides within the contact plug 142, but later this plug isturnedthrou h the medium of the non-circular shaft an the flexible shaft150, the knurled button-152 being provided for the last purpose.

A quadrant 153 has notches 154, 155, 156 and 157 to be engaged by thelatch 158. The latch is disen aged by pressing on the button 159. Theorward movement of the lever 147 moves the contact lu'g 143correspondingly, until the should sr 165 engages the plug 142; from thenon both move together.

This plug has a stem 160 with a head having a deep slot 161 occupied bythe pin 162 on the handle 163 of the main water valve 164. This valve issituated in the inlet conduit 16, between. the radiator 17 and the firstexhaust valve 5. The contact cylinder 139 includes another series ofcontacts 168, 169, 170 and 171 to be bridged by contact rin s 172, 173,174 and 175 on the plug 142.

he contacts and rings mentioned control the intake solenoids 90, etc.,it being observed that the wires 91, etc. from these solenoids run tothe various contacts mentioned. The ur ose of these contacts is toprevent energlzation of all of the intake solenoids at the time that theexhaust valves 5 etc. are drawn down by the energizat'zon of the workingsolenoids 80 etc. At this time it is well to consider the operation ofthe engine. 1

Assume the engine to be at rest. The main water valve 164 is closed asin Figure 4. The main switch Sw is open, the lever 147 is drawn back tothe latch notch 154 and the whole electrical system is de-energized.Consequently, all of the exhaust valves 5, 7,

9 and 11 are up, because they are pressed into such position by thesprings 75, and the gas exhaust and water inlet ports 18 and 19 are 0 ento the cylinders 1, 2, 3 and 4.

But al of the gas intake valves 6, 8, 10 and 12 are closed because theyare pressed down by their springs 98. Move the lever 147 to the firstnotch 155. This moves the plu 143 far enough to engage the ring 144 witthe main contacts 140 then the main positive wire 87 is closed at themain switch sitions.

- just traced.

Sw in readiness for the completion of the first circuit.

This occurs when the lever 147 is moved into the second notch 156 whichbrings the ring 145 into engagement with the working solenoid contacts141, completing the following circuit: Current flows from the positivepole of battery B over main positive wire 87 past the switch contacts140, 144, to all of the branches 88 through the working solenoids 80,114, 115 and 116 to the negative return wire 89 contacts 141 and 145 toground, and so back to the negative ole of the battery. All of theworking so enoids are thus energized and the exhaust valves 5,

7. 9 and 11 are drawn down to the closed P0- The switch contact plug 142is still in the original position, not having yet been engaged by theshoulder 165 of the non-circular shaft 151. the head of the stem 160stands in the dot and dash line" position indicated 2nd. The main watervalve 164 is open but very little, but the exhaust valves 5, etc. areclosed so that water cannot' enter the engine cylinders through thepartly open main valve.

Now move the lever 147 to the last notch 157. During the passage betweennotches 156 and 157 the broken ring contacts 135, etc. are broughtintoengagement with the corresponding contacts 131 etc., before the ring 145is entirely disengaged from the working solenoid contacts 141, henceenergizing the retaining magnets 82, 117, 118

and 104 before the working solenoids 80, 114,

115 and 116 can bedeenergized to release the cores 79 of the exhaustvalves. The retaining magnets 82 etc. then function to hold the exhaustvalves down when the, working solenoids 80, etc.', are deenerg zed.

The circuit energizing the retaining mag net 82 when the broken ring 135engages the contact 131 is as follows: Current flows from the positivepole of battery B over main positive wire 87 to branch 88, through theretaining ma t 82, over 129' to contacts 131 and ring 135 back to theother part of wire'129 over main wire 129 to retaining contact 111 ofcylinder 3, to 1: mid

and so back to the negative pole of I t battery. Remember that allintake valves 6 etc. are closed and couently the retaining contacts 111are also closed, comple the circuit ughthe retainng magnets as ,1. et117 is energiz by The retaining'm the engagement ote ring 136 with con--tact 132 in this mer: Current flows from the positive pole of battery Bover main positive wire 87 to branch 88 of the second enginecylinder,-thro 117 to wire 130, over ranch 130 through con a t 132 hretaining magnet ring 136 t the other branch The base of the slot 161 inThe circuit for the retaining magnets 118 and 104 may be easily tracedin the same manner on the drawings.

Upon completing the movement of the lever 147 the main valve 164 willstand fully opened, the ring 145 will be out of engagement with theworking solenoid contact 141, consequently deenergizing the workingsolenoids 80 etc. but the broken rings 135 etc. will be in fullengagement with the contacts 131 etc., holding the retaining magnets 82energized. These magnets are weak. They are strong enough to hold thecores 7 9 etc. when brought into egement with the fixed cores 81 etc.,but notstrong enough to attract the -former cores when the exhaustvalves are open. The 0 erator should now turn the button 152 in t edirection of the turn the button 152 a little farther to bring the breakof rin .136 beneath the contact 132 and so brea retainin ma et 117. Onthe same principle, all of fi e retaining magnets may be deenergized inan efl'ort to start the engine. But the first break should start theengine, and it does start on this wise:

Upon releasing the core 79 by the deenergization of retaining magnet 82,the exhaust valve 5 of c linder 1 moves to the open position by virtueof the tension of the spring 75. The inlet port 19 now communicatingwith the inlet conduit 16, admits water to the cylinder 1. Any residualgas is forced out through the top through the open exhaust port 18. Thefluid piston, for spch the water has now become, rises until it meetsthe float 84, which in turn rises witlfithe fluid piston bringin' thefloat contact 83 into egement and c osing the following circuit:

Current flows fi'om the positive pole of .battery B over main positivewire 87 to the circuit through the 6 up so that a charge of gas undercompress'ion may enter the cylinder 1 through the port and occupy thespace above the fluid piston W.

But as stated before, the completion of the circuit at the intakecontact 92 is but momentary, the functioning of this contact beingremembered from the description of Figure 6. As soon as the roller 93leaves the corresponding contact point, the intake solenoid 90 is againdeenergized, permitting the spring 98 to force the intake valve 6 downto the closed position, thereby cutting ofi the flow of gas. Two thingshappen on the dofvnward or closing movement of the intake va ve. 1 i

First, the spark circuit is completed at the terminal 109, the primarycircuit being completed at that terminal, in turn causing the completionof the high tension circuit from the coil C; wire 113 and spark lug 21.The production of the spark causes t e ignition of the compressed chargeof gas, forcing. the fluid piston W down and out of the bottom valve 22.The com ressor piston 26 is impacted by the ejected uid, compressing theair beneath the piston, but the fluid flowing into the reservoir 30 todrive the rotors of the turbine 15.

Secondly, the terminal 110 is engaged by the roller 105 of the retainingcontact 111 closing the following circuit: Current flows from thepositive pole of battery B over the main ositive wire 87 to branch 88 ofcylinder 4, t rough the retaining magnet 104, over wire 112, branchwires 112 through main switch S20 and out again into wire 112,-

terminal 110 of theqetaimng contact 111 to ground at the engine, and soback to the negative pole of the battery- The reader will ask how itcould be possible to ener-. gize the'retaining magnet 104 when it wassupposed to be energized in thefirst instance to retain the core of theexhaust valve in the down position.

This question is answered thus: When the intake solenoid 90 wasenergized by the functioning of intake contacts 92 to open the intakevalve 6, the circuit which was formerly completed at the terminal 110 ofthe retaining contact 111 was broken, thereby giving the spring 7 5 ofthe exhaust valve .11 an opportunity to force that valve into the openposition, in which it is now illustrated in Figure 13. That valve isstilt open and the energization of the retaining magnet by the reestablishment of its energizing circuit at the terminal 110 of theintake valve 6, does not close the exhaust valve 11 because it isremembered that the retaining magnet 104, like the others, is insufiiciently strong to attract the core 7 9.

I The operation of cylinder No. 1 is now repeated in cylinder No. 4. Thefluid piston W rises until the float 84 of cylinder 4 is lifter,whereupon the float contact 83 is closed, energizin the intake solenoid124 by the completion 0 the following circuit: Current flowsfrom thepositive pole of battery B over the main positive wire 87 to branch 88,through solenoid 116 to the wire 121, past the float contact 83 toground at the cylinder 4, and so back to the negative pole of thebattery. It is unnecessary to repeat the rest of the description, asynopsis of the description of the whole operation being given in theappended schedule:

Cylinder 1Exhaust valve 5 closes to open intake valve 6, intake valve6;,releases exhaust valve 11.

Cylinder 2--Exhaust valve 7 closes to open intake valve 8, intake valve8 releases exhaust valve 9.

Cylinder 3-Exhaust valve 9 closes to open intake valve 10, intake valve10 releases exhaust valve 5.

Cylinder 4-Exhaust valve 11 closes to open intake valve 12, intake valve12 releases exhaust valve 7.

This schedule illustrates that each exhaust valve controls its own gasintake valve. Each cylinder closes its own exhaust valve when the fluidpiston reaches the proper hei ht in the engine cylinder. Each intake vave produces the spark for its own intake cyl' inder and then operates toset another engine cylinder in readiness for a repetition of theoperation which has just been performed in itsown cylinder.

In completing the description of the operation in, progress immediatelybefore the schedule above, only mention of the positions of parts inFigure 13 need be. made. Here it will be observed that the fluid pistonW of cylinder 4 has reached the top, has completed the circuit foritself to energize the working solenoid 16, thereby closing the exhaustvalve 11 and causing the opening of the intake valve 12 for theadmission of a charge of compressed gas. The exhaust valve 5 ofcylinder'l is still closed, since the fluid piston is still in the actof moving out of the bottom valve 22.

When all of the fluid is ejected from cylinder 1, that c linder remainsat restuntil cylinders 2 an 3' have operated, and when the intake valve'10 of cylinder 3 performs its the electric generator 167, shown inFigure 3.

' The use of this generator or the battery B I compressing the air inthe air reservoir at the bottom is to provide a charge under pressure.This is correct and applies to the ordinary operation of the engine. Butthe enn all a piston in the cylinder,

elech'ic mech:

-- centre e is capable of uses other than the mere riving of a generatorand the like, for example, when made on a sufficiently large scale itcan be used as an air compressor.

In such event, the air compressed in the chamber at the bottom is notsolely used for the formation of a charge, only in a relativelysmall deas; most of the compressed air is then ma e use, of otherwise. There isalso another important modification to which the engine readily lendsitself.

The water which is expelled under great force against the compressoristons is new used almost solely for the riving of the turbine,incidentally servingto cool the cylinders. The engine may be made on aconsiderably larger scale and used as a water pump. Describing brieflyhow this may be, done, the reader should imagine the water to be raisedfrom such external place as a well by means ofa ll pump, whereu n it maymomentarily function as the uid iston of the engine, being expelled atthe ttom valve under great force and thus raised to a considerableheight. i i this the reader can readily picture to If and illustrationin the drawings is not thought to be requi.

e the construction and arrangement of the improved hydro-gas engine asherein described and claimed, is that of a generally preferred form,obviously modifications and changes may be made without depa from thespirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim 1. An engine comprising a cylinder, a valve having a portadmitting fluid into the cylinder while in a normally w 1 position,electro-metic closing means e valve, and contact means actuated thepiston formed by said fluid when the atter reaches a predeterminedinward point in the cylinder to 'ener said electromagnetic'means,

' close the vlve and stop the ow pf fluid.

-2. cc com acylinder, a valve ha a port 1 a 1P ve normally open 'to;tsaid fluid,

for u'ilt at. to said. an i m and floatedcentact 111 set in operation byI the piston when the latter-reaches apredeteed W311. .1 peintin ecylinder for at a predetermined inward point setting said electricmechanism in operation and moving the valve to the closed position.

3. engine comprising a cylinder, a valve having a port admitting fluidto form a piston-in the cylinder, means'to keep the valve normally open,a normally deenergizedsolenoid, a stem on the valve entering thesolenoid as a core, an electric circuit embracing the solenoid having arounded terminal, a closable terminal, an a. float situated in thecylinder operated when the piston reaches a predetermlned inward pointto thereby close said terminal and energize the solenoid to shift thevalve to a closing position.

d. An engine comprising a cylinder, a normally open valve having oneport to admit fluid into the cylinder to constitute a piston and anotherport which permits the escape of gas. from the cylinder ahead ofthepiston, and means set in operation by the fluid piston when touched bysaid piston ing the valve to close both ports.

5. engine comprising a cylinder, a normally open valve with inder aheadof the piston, means set in operation by the fluid piston when itreaches a predetermined inward point for shifting ports to admit fluidinto the cylinder to constitute -a piston Y and permit the escape of gasfrom the cylfor shiftthe exhaust valve to close both ports, a normallyclosed intake valve, and means actuated b the valveon the closing.movement thereefl to open the intake valve and admit a compressed chargeof gas ahead of the fluid lston. I

, a engine comprising a cylinder, :1 normall open valve with ports opento respective y admit fluid into the cylinder to constitute a piston andpermit the escape of gas from the cylinder ahead of the piston, meansset in operation by the fluid piston when it reaches a predeterminedinward point for shifting the valve to close both ports, a normallyclosed intake valve, means actuated by the first valve on the closingmovement thereof to won the intake, valve and at a comp r charge of gasahead of the fluid piston, means for immediately again closing theintake valve, and means set in :w at1on b the closing movement of theinta e valve or igniting said charge.

7. An engine comprising a cylinder, a normally open valve having portsto respec-' tively admit fluid into the cylinder to constitute a istonand permit thp expansion of a gas ahea of the piston, electric meansactu ated when the piston nears the exhaust port to shift the valve andclose both ports, a m;

mally closed intake valve, elmtric means momentarily energized on theclosing movement of the fluid and exha valve to open valve, electricmeans energized on the closing movement of said valve to ignite the 1'thatthe port is open for admitting fluid into the adjacent cylinder toconstitute an adcharge, and means against which the fluid piston reactsto utilize the force therebehind.

8. An engine including a pair of cylinders, a valve for each cylinder,each having a port, the first valve being in such position vancing fluidpiston, the second valve being in such position that the port is closed,electric means retaining said valve and port in the closed position, anormally closed intake valve on the first cylinder, contact meansassociated with said intake valve take valve to re-establishsaid circuitbut not close the second valve.

9. An engine including a pair of cy1inders, a normally closed gas intakevalve for the first cylinder, a combined fluid inlet and gas exhaustvalve for the second cylinder,.

electro-magnetic means adapted for retaining said combined valve in theclosed position, an electric circuit embracing said elect'ro-ma neticretaining means, means carried by said intake valve closing said circuitwhen the intake valve is closed to thereby ,retain said combined valve,means for opening said intake'valve and thereby opening said circuit torelease the combined valve, and means for then moving the combined inletand exhaust valve to the openposition.

10. An engine having a pair of cylinders, a normallyclosed gas intakevalve for the first cylinder, a valve for the second cylinder having afluid port and a gas exhaust port, a magnet ada ted to retain theexhaust valve in the close position, an electric circuit, means at theintake valve to engage the terminals of said circuit to energize theretaina (it) ing magnet upon closure of the intake valve and vice versa,and means for moving the fluid and gas valve to an open position toadmit a fluid piston into the second cylinder.

11. An engine having a c linder, an exhaust valve having a fluid'i etport, a stem on the valve, a magnet adapted to be ener- 'gized toattract said stem and hold the valve in the closed position, means todeenergize and energize said magnet to alternately release and attractthe stem, means to open the valve upon deener ization of said magnet toadmit fluid throng said port toform a piston in the cylinder, a normallydeenergized working solenoid coupled with said magnet, and contactmechanism actuated by the inwardly advancing fluid piston at apredetermined point to energize the working solenoid and draw theexhaust valve and ort to the closed position within range of t edeenergized retaining magnet. 1

12. An engine having a cylinder, a valve having a port adapted to admitfluid to form a piston in the cylinder, an energized retainin magnetholding the valve and port norma y closed; external means adapted tobreak the circuit through the retaining magnet to release said valve,and again complete the circuit, means for moving the valve and port tothe fluid-piston admitting position when said valve is released, andelectric mechanism for closing said valve and holding it by saidretaining magnet, said mechanism including a contact actuated by theinwardly advaiicing fluid piston and a working solenoid energizedtherethrough.

I 13. An engine having a cylinder, a valve having a port adapted whileopen-"to admit a" fluid into the cyllnder to form a piston, a stem onthe valve, a contact arm 1ournalled in the cylinder wall having anextension on the inside, a guide inside of the cylinder, a float mountedon said guide movable by the piston to engage the extension, a workingsolenoid receivmgthe stem, a circuit embracing the solenoid and havin acontact engageable by said arm to there y energlze the solenoid, attractthe stem and move the valve into the closedposition.

14. An engine comprising a cylinder having a normally closed gas intakevalve, a normally open valve having gas exhaust and fluid intake portsthe latter adapted to admit fluid to form a piston in the cylinder,

cylinders containing the res ective valves, electrical contact means ont e engine cylinder operable by the piston, electro-magnetic meansenergized upon operation of said contact means when the piston reaches apredetermined inward point to thereby cause the closure of the valvehaving the exhaust and fluid port, electro-magnet means for openihg theintake valve, contact means carried by the gas and fluid valve extendingthrough the cylinder wall of said valve, associated electrical contactmeans engagable thereby momentarily to energize said electromagneticmeans and causethe opening of the intake valve, 'and means for returninsaid valve to the closed position after sai momentary contact anddeenergization of said electro-magnet means.

15. An engine comprising a working cylinder, a pair of valve cylinders,a normally closed intake valve in one cylinder, a normally open (gas andfluid inlet valve in the other cvlin er, each valve havin a core,

solenoi receiving the cores of t e intake and exhaust and inlet valvesrespectively,

mimosa valve.

16. An engine having a movable gas intake valve, an operating solenoidtherefor,

" whereby said closure means is displaced, and

a second movable valve, a circuit embracing the solenoid and having oneterminal adjacent to the second valve, a contactor car- 'ried by saidvalve, and means carrying said terminal arranged to shield the latterupon one movement of the contactor but enabling engagement thereof onthe reverse movement to close the circuit and energize said operatingsolenoid.

17. An engine comprising a cylinder, a valve having a port to admitfluid to form a piston in said cylinder, and fixed means extendinginwardly from the cylinder wall preventing excessive splashing'of thefluid as it approaches the top of the cylinder.

18. An engine comprising a cylinder, a valve having a port to admitfluid into the cylinder to form a iston, and a bafie carried by andexten ing inwardly from the cylinder wall preventing excessive splashingof the fluid as it approaches the top of the cylinder.

19. An engine comprising a cylinder, means providing a closure for thebottom of the cylinder, means to admit fluid into the cylinder to form apiston, yieldable means beneath said closure holding it in place, meansfor admitting-and igniting an explosive mixture above the fluid pistonmeans arranged below said closure means to receive the'impact of thefluid as it es capes.

20. An en e comprising a cylinder, means provid ifl g a closure for thebottom of the cylinder, means to admit fluid into the cylinder to form apiston, means to admit and ignite an e losive mixture above the fluidpiston, resi ent means normally holding the closure means in place butpermitting yielding to the force of the explosion against said piston,means impacted by the escaping fluid and in turn becoming displaced tocompress a fluid therebehind, and means directing the escaping fluidagainst said impacted means.

21. An engine comprising a cylinder, means providing a closure for thebottom of the cylinder, means to admit fluid into the cylinder to form apiston, means to admit and ignite an exp fluid piston, resilient meansnormally supporting the closure means and holding i in place butpermitting yieldingto the force of the explosion against said piston,impact losive mixture above the means in position to be impacted by theescaping fluid, a c linder containing said impact means, yiel able meanssupporting said impact means in turn becoming displlacfl to compress afluid in the impact cy der, means directing the escaping fluid againstsaid impact means, means receivin the fluid partiallyspent afterdisplacing e closure V means, and means for receiving the fluidcompressed'in the impact cylinder.

22. An engine comprising a cylinder adapted to contain a fluid iston,means providing a bottom for the lillld piston, resilient meansretaining the bottom but enabling displacement by the force of anexplosion on the piston, means for guiding the escaping fluid underpressure, means for receiv-' ing the impact of said fluid to in turncompress fluid therebehind, and means including a reservoir-forreceiving the fluid under pressure.

23. An engine comprising a cylinder,

means providing a closure for the bottom of the cylinder, means toadmit, fluid into the cylinder to form a piston, means to admit andignite an explosive mixture above the fluid piston, a sprin normallsupporting said bottom but ena ling yie din to the force of theexplosion above said piston, means guiding the escaping fluidrectilinearly when said closure is displaced, means within said guidemeans supporting said spring, a reservoir receiving the escaping fluid,an extension cylinder spaced from said engine cylinder to communicatewith the reservoir, a compressor piston in said extension cylinderreceiving the im act of said rectilinearly ided fluid and in turncompressing a flui in said extension cylinder, and a spring normallysupporting said compressor piston, being adapted to yieldproportionately as the fluid pressure in the reservoir thereaboveincreases.

24. An engine comprising a cylinder hav-- ing a valve seat and aplurality of grooves leading therefrom to one end of the cylinder, avalve resting on said seat providing a closurev for the bottom of thecylinder, means to admit fluid into the cylinder to form a piston, meansto admit and ignite an explosive mixture to form a piston, a springnormally supporting said valve but enabling yielding to the force of theexplosion above i said iston, said grooves guiding the escaping uidrectilinearl when said valve 18 displaced, means .wit said cylindersupporting said spring, an extension cylinder spaced from the enginecylinder, a reservoir with which the space communicates, a compressorpiston in pact of said recti ear-lg guided fluid and in turn compress aflui in said extension cylinder therebeneath, and a spring in saidcylinder supporting said comprmsor piston osition toreceive the im andyielding proportionately as the fluid pressure in the reservoirthereabove increases.

25. An engine comprising a pair of .opposed cylinders spaced apart, areservoir enclosing portions of the cylinders to communicate with saidspace, a valve in one of the cylinders, means to admit fluid to saidcylinder above the valve therein to form a piston, means to admit andignite a combustible charge above said piston causing said valve torecede and permit the expulsion of the fluid piston into said space, air

inlet means in said other cylinder, and a piston in said other cylinderreceiving the thrust of the expelled fluid piston to compress theairjtherein before entering the reservoir.

26; An engine comprising a pair of opposed cylinders spaced apart, areservoir enclosing the opposing ends of the cylinders to communicatewith said space, a valve in one of the cylinders, means to admit fluidto said cylinder above the valve therein to form a. plston, means toadmit and ignite a combustible charge above said piston, causing'saidvalve to recede and permit the expulsion of the fluid piston into saidspace, air inlet and outlet valves in the other cylinder, a reservoirinto which the outlet valve is adapted to open, and a piston in saidother cylinder receiving the thrust of the expelled fluid piston tocompress the air therein before entering the reservoir, said compressedair discharging through the outlet valve into the air reservoir. 7

27. An engine comprising a cylinder, a valve closing one end thereof, ahead closing the other end, means to admit a fluid to form a piston insaid cylinder, charge-forming means to introduce a combustible chargeinto the cylinder between the piston and head, means to ignite thecharge, compressor apparatus including a piston to receive the im act ofthe fluid upon expulsion through sai valve by the explosion, a reservoirinto which air is compressed by said piston, and a pipe connectedbetween the reservoir and charge forming means to supply the latter withair for forming combustible charges.

28.. An engine comprisin a cylinder a valve closing one end thereo ahead closing the other end, means to admit a fluid to form a piston insaid cylinder, charge-forming means tointroduce a combustible chargeinto the c linder between the piston and head, a ba e situated adjacentto the head defining a compartment which the chargeenters, said bafilepreventing excessive 'splashing of thefluid piston as the head isapproached, means to ignite the charge,

compressor apparatus including a piston to receive the impact of thefluidupon expulsion through said valve by the explosion, a

reservoir into which air is compressed by said piston, and a pipeconnected between the reservoir and charge-forming means to supply thelatter with air for forming combustible charges.

29. An engine comprising a cylinder, a valve in said cylinder adapted tosupport a fluid piston, an inlet valve admitting the fluid to form saidpiston, means to close said valve, a compressor cylinder, a piston insaid cylinder adapted to receive the impact upon expulsion of the fluidthrough said valve to compress air in said compressor cylinder, areservoir into which said air discharges, a carburetor between saidreservoir and the top of the cylinder being ada ted to form acombustible charge for in uction into said cylinder above said fluidpiston, an

intake valve for admitting said compressed charge above the piston,electro-magnetic means adapted to be momentarily energized to open saidintake valve, andt circuit controlling means operable upon the closingmovement of said inlet valve to energize said electro-magnetic means forthe opening of the intake valve.

30. An engine comprising a cylinder, a valve in said cylinder adapted tosupport a fluid piston, an inlet valve having a port in open position toadmit the fluid to form said piston and a second port to exhaust apreviously burnt charge ahead of the advancing fluid piston, means toclose said valve, a compressor cylinder, a. piston in said cylinderadapted to receive the impact upon expulsion of the fluid through saidvalve in said compressor cylinder, a reservoir into which said airdischarges, a carbureter between said reservoir and the top of thecylinder being adapted to form a combustible charge for induction intosaid cylinder above said fluid piston, an intake valve for admittingsaid compressed charge above the piston, electro-magnetic means adaptedto be momentarily energized to open said intake valve, and circuitcontrollingmeans operated upon the closing movement of said .thereof toa predetermined point in the cylinder to close said valve, a compressorcyhnder, a iston in said cylinder adapted to receive t e impact uponexpulsion of the fluid through sai valve to compress air in saidcompressor sald air dlsc cylinder, a reservoir into which rges, acarburetor between v adapted to of gas ahead of the piston,

' valve, and circuit said reservoir and the top of being adapted to forma combustible charge for induction into said cylinder above said fluidpiston, an intake valve for admitting said compressed charge abovethepiston, electro-magnetic means adapted to be momentarily energized toopen said intake controlling means operable upon the closing movement ofsaid inlet valve to energize said electro-magnetic means for the openingof the intake valve.

32. An engine including a cylinder having a valve seat, a valve engagingthe seat from beneath to support a fluid piston, resilient meansnormally sustaining the valve but enabling yielding when an explosionoccurs above the piston, means included in said seat causing centeringof the 'force behind the fluid piston on the valve, and othermeansembodied in the seat enabling spreading of the fluid escapingaround the unseated bottom valve, toward the cylinder wall below thevalve seat.

33. An engine comprising a cylinder adapted to contain a fluid piston,a' valve supporting the fluid piston, means for admitting a compressedcharge of gas above said piston, means for igniting said charge, meansincluding a reservoir for receiving the fluid under pressure'as itescapes at the bot tom valvedue to the explosion of the gas, a jacketaround the cylinder, means for conducting said fluid to the jackettocool the cylinder, and means for receiving the hot fluidfrom the jacketfor cooling it before returning it to the cylinder, including aradiator.

34. An engine comprising a cylinder adapted to contain a' fluid piston,a valve supporting. the fluid piston, means for admitting a compressedcharge of gas above said piston, means for igniting said charge, meansincluding a reservoir for receiving the fluid under pressure as itescapes at the bottom valve due to the explosion of the gas, a jacketaround the cylinder, means for conducting said fluid to the jacket tocool the cylinder, means for receiving the hot fluid from the jacket'for cooling it before returning it to the cylinder, including aradiator, and means for admitting a portion of the cooled fluid to againbecome a fluid piston comprising a valve having a fluid port and gasport, both opening to respectively admit the fluid and permit the expulsion of the previously burnt charge.

35. An engine comprising a cylinder, contain'a fluid piston, a bottomvalve for supporting the fluid piston, an intake valve adaptedto assumetwo positions namely, an open position to tion after said admission,means actuated by said valve in moving to Said closed position to causethe ignition of said charge; a reserthe cylinder i admit a chargeand aclosed posi voir for receiving the cylinder through said bottom valvefollowing the explosion, means for conveying said discharged fluidaround the cylinder to carry away the heat, and means for receiving saidfluid to cool it..

. 36. An ,engine' comprising a cylinder adapted to contain a fluidpiston, displaceable means providing a support in said cylinder for saidpiston, means to admit and ignite a combustible charge above saidpiston, a reservoir for receiving the fluid upon expulsion past saidsupport under pressure of the explosion above the piston, meanssurrounding the cylinder to which the fluid is conducted for conveyingaway the heat, and adjustable pressure-controlled means fluid expelledfrom the I providing a by-pass between the reservoir 38. In an enginethe combination pf a normlally closed including a' normally retractedcontactor, means for advancing the contactor step by step, connectingmeans between the contactor and valve, and means embodied in saidconnecting means enabling a predetermined number of steps of thecontactor before the fluid valve is aflected.

39. In an engine the combination of a normally closed fluid valve, anelectric switch including a normally retracted contactor, means,including a lever with connections, for shifting the contactor step bystep, connecting means between the contactor and valve, and meansincluding slot andpin devices permitting a predetermined number of stepsof the contactor before the opening of the valve is 40. In an engine thecombination of a normally closed fluid valve, an electric switchincluding a contactor with a connection to the valve, means for shiftingthe contactor with a step by step motion, means in said fluid valve, anelectric switch moving one of the contactors over certain of thecontacts a predetermined distance to initiate the operation of certainvalve operating means, thereafter moving all contactors together tosubsequently initiate the operation of the other valve operating means.

42. In combination, an engine employing a fluid piston, fluid inlet andgas intake valves, separate electromagnetic means for the respectivevalves, a normally closed main valve for the fluid which is adapted toconstitute the piston, an electric switch having contacts in connectionwith the various electro-inagnet-ic mean's,'1novable coacting contactorsembodied in said switch, a connection between one cont-actor and thevalve, means for moving one of the contactors a predetermined distanceto cause the energization of one of the electro-magnetic means andinitiate the operation of the inlet valve, the continued movement ofsaid contactor carrying said connected contactor with it to cause theopening of the main fluid valve thereby establishing fluid circulationthrough the engine and energizing others of the electromagnetic means.

43. An electric switch comprising a contact plug, means to bothreciprocate and revolve said plug, a stem carried by the plug adapted toreciprocate to shift a valve handle, and a connection between the stemand the plug enabling the valve to revolve without. affecting the stem.

4%. An electric switch comprising two contact-carrying plugs,non-circular means passing through one plug to a point of attachment onthe other plug, means to reciprocate said other plug in respect to thefirst plug and revolve both plugs together, a stem carried by said otherplug with means adapting it to shift a valve handle, and a joint betweenthe stem and said other plug enabling the revolution of both plugs inrespect to the stem and the reciprocation of said stem and said otherplug in respect to the first plug.

FRANK D. CHOWDER,

